One of the main focuses of this web site and the practice at Priority Health is on Hypothyroidism and thyroid disorders. The appropriate testing is utilized to find even the most hard-to-find cases. Once diagnosed both subjective feedback and appropriate follow up testing is utilized to fine tune thyroid replacement therapy for optimal outcomes.

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Grounded in sound
science and committed to an individualized, multi-faceted holistic approach,
the Priority Health Center provides you with the resources and tools you need
for living a more youthful and productive life. The Priority Health
provides a diverse array of diagnostics & therapies as well as educational
guidance in the areas of health promotion and preventive medicine.
Besides the typical spa services, there are aesthetic restorative
programs/procedures offered, nutritional and hormonal balance and weight loss
programs. The center is a collection site for
HDL/IDL/Singulex/ALCAT/DDI/IGeneX/BostonHeartLabs and others. Dr. Yusuf
M. Saleeby (& Kristin Richardson, PA) directs the center's restorative and
preventive medicine programs. The center
is NOT to be considered a PCP (primary care provider) but rather a specialty
clinic for consultation and collaboration with your primary MD/DO.

Our Focus covers the following:

Andropause

Between ages 40 and 55,
men can experience the male equivalent of menopause, and this is now referred
to as andropause or “male-menopause”. Virtually all men will experience a
decline in hormone levels with age. For example, the average testosterone
level of a 70-year-old man is ten-times lower than that of a 25-year-old man.
According to the April 2006 issue of the American Journal of Therapy, the circulating
testosterone level declines steadily from age 19 at an average rate of 1% per
year. By age 70, about one in every three men has very low serum total
testosterone levels. Symptoms of andropause include loss of energy, loss
of muscle mass, increased body fat, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, loss
of mental focus, and increased anxiety and depression. At the Priority
Health, we embrace a three-pronged approach to andropause that includes
specific antioxidants, nutrient repletion, and hormonal balancing. By
restoring optimal levels of nutrients, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents and
hormones, many men report that their vitality, self-esteem, performance, libido
and overall functioning are radically improved. These men have an
entirely new lease on life!

Atherosclerosis & Circulatory Disorders/Cardiovascular
Disease

The two leading causes
of death for U.S. men and women over the age of 50 are heart attacks and
strokes. Atherosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries," is
typically involved in the pathogenesis of these conditions. The initial
focus of our approach is to use nutritional therapies and lifestyle
modifications to reduce various risk factors that predispose an individual to
atherosclerosis—factors such as a high ratio of total cholesterol to
high-density lipoproteins, advanced biomarkers of lipid analysis such as LDL-P,
Lp(a), HDL2-C, ApoB & ApoA1, and elevated blood levels of homocysteine,
fibrinogen, insulin, or C-reactive protein, Lp-PLA2, MPO, F2-Ispns which we
routinely test. In addition, we favor the use of therapies that are aimed
at preventing the production and/or removing plaque and restoring blood flow
throughout the entire circulatory system.

Autoimmune Disorders - Limited

We have treated a number
of patients with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus,
multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, scleroderma, psoriasis, and
dermatomyositis. Multiple therapies are often utilized in treating these
patients, including targeted support for cellular and intestinal detoxification
processes, and the correction of nutritional deficiencies. Rather than
the traditionally accepted therapy of suppression of the immune system with
steroids and immunosuppressants that are toxic overall, we use
IMMUNE-bolstering dietary aids and therapies. Overall, the goal is to
calm down or reset the immune system rather than increase its activity.
In many cases, toxic factors or infectious agents may trigger or further
amplify these autoimmune processes, and combinations of innovative therapies
have shown the potential to resolve these health problems. Triggers can
be environmental allergens, toxic heavy metals, EBV, Lyme Dz and other tick
borne pathogens, viruses and molds.

Cancer Prevention (Prevention and early detection, NOT treatment)

The Priority Health is
not a cancer treatment center, but we will work with oncologist to develop a
program for you to help avoid the debilitating effects of traditional therapy.
We can rescue your good cells from the killing effects of
chemotherapeutic and radiation therapy. We focus on Early Cancer
detection with advanced biomarkers and PREVENTION of cancer to begin with.
In order to more effectively manage and control cancer, our approach
relies on nutritional, botanical and pharmacological methods that attack cancer
cells directly as they develop before they progress to full blown disease
states.

Chronic Fatigue (Limited to hormones)

The most common medical
complaint is fatigue or lack of energy. This can range from mild,
functional fatigue (i.e., you get through the day yet feel constantly tired) to
severe, incapacitating fatigue requiring constant bed rest. People who
suffer from chronic fatigue often speak of “dragging” or feeling “tired all the
time”, as well as in many cases feeling "stressed out" or
“overwhelmed” by life in general and are susceptible to "brain
fog". They often experience problems such as mental fuzziness, poor
memory, moodiness, sexual problems, more frequent colds and viral syndromes
(poor immunity), and a tendency to gain weight. Some forms of chronic
fatigue are associated with manic episodes in which hyperactivity alternates
with profound fatigue. Some individuals appear to be hyper on a frequent
basis, yet behind that hyperactivity they also feel exhausted. About 40%
of these patients have numerous allergies and/or multiple chemical
sensitivities, most of which are hidden or unrecognized. Once the
underlying biological causes are identified and addressed, many cases of chronic
fatigue resolve with ease, and the individual goes on to experience the
delights of enduring vitality and resilience. People who experience
chronic fatigue do not necessarily have the condition known as Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have established specific
guidelines for giving the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and many
patients who complain of fatigue and body aches often do not meet the specific
criteria set by the CDC. The workup can be daunting but must be done in a
very methodical way to insure the root cause is not missed.

Chronic Infections & Immune Dysfunction (Screening/Limited)

Most infections are
hidden from view, and yet they tend to steal away our vitality and amplify our
vulnerability to other health problems. Many people have a history of frequent
infections or a tendency to get sick fairly often. Over the years, these
individuals often received either repeated courses of antibiotics or large
doses of powerful antibiotics for brief periods. This tends to result in
damage to the balance of beneficial intestinal bacteria that are needed to
process micronutrients and maintain a healthy metabolism. Even without
antibiotics, there are a number of factors that can predispose one to this
common intestinal imbalance, which is known as dysbiosis. These factors
include being born by C-section, being formula fed (minimally breastfed) as
infants, eating an imbalanced diet, and habitual ingestion of sugar, dairy,
caffeine, and alcohol. Dysbiosis can result in progressive cellular
nutrient deficiencies as well as damage to the lining of the intestine and an
increased tendency to develop food allergies. With the immune system
working overtime and reacting to what it “perceives” as foreign invaders, there
will be a gradual decline in the system’s ability to handle the day-to-day
organisms with which we all come in contact. Integrative therapies that
target the deep underlying sources of these infections and the restoration of
cellular immune function to a more normal state can reverse years of chronic
illness.

Age-related
neurodegenerative diseases are becoming increasingly common as the number of
elderly people in the U.S. population continues to increase. These
diseases include multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease (one of the most
common degenerative diseases over the age of 50), Alzheimer’s Disease,
Dementia, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and other disorders that
threaten the personal well-being and sanity (from the Latin sanitas, meaning
“health”) of so many Americans with advancing age. There is increasing
evidence that excessive levels of free radicals—as occurs during normal and
pathological brain aging—contribute to the loss and dysfunction of brain
cells. Some research has shown that natural antioxidants may help prevent
or delay the occurrence of age-related cognitive deficits and neurodegenerative
diseases. Other related contributors are mitochondrial dysfunction, heavy
metal overload, chronic inflammation, and hidden infections. For example,
lead exposure has been implicated in age-related cognitive decline, and chronic
viral infections have been implicated in MS. Mercury and lead toxicities
are extremely common in older patients who are losing their hearing and
memory. According to a 2007 scientific review, there is now a “decisive
role for inorganic mercury in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease”, with other
metals, inflammation, nutritional factors (low omega-3 FA index), oxidative
distress, and metabolic problems acting as co-factors. With the right
overall integration of therapies (including removal of heavy metals),
Alzheimer's disease and many other neurodegenerative conditions may be
prevented and perhaps ultimately reversed as well.

Diabetes (T2DM, T1.5MD, T3DM)

Type 2 diabetes is a
chronic metabolic disease that has a substantial impact on the health, quality
of life, and life expectancy of people diagnosed with this condition.
Although conventional pharmaceuticals are often necessary, such treatments can
have adverse side effects and are not always satisfactory in maintaining blood
sugar control and avoiding late-stage diabetic complications. Exercise,
diet, and weight control continue to be essential and effective means of
improving blood sugar control and in many cases can help reduce the need for
medications and prevent long-term complications such as lipid disorders, heart
disease, infections, and kidney problems. In addition, our clinical
experience confirms a growing body of evidence indicating that the selective
use of nutraceuticals, botanicals, and minerals may promote healthy glucose and
lipid metabolism. More and more diabetic patients and health care
professionals are seeking out this integrative approach, and clinical research
is increasingly substantiating the use of supplements such as chromium, Coccinia indica, American
Ginseng, and Gymnema sylvestre—all
of which are most effective in the context of a comprehensive approach that
includes specific lifestyle changes and appropriate use of pharmaceuticals for
blood sugar control. Controlling serum glucose and insulin levels is
paramount in control of body inflammation and the aging process. Advanced
biomarkers such as Anti-GAD and pro-insulin, c-peptide, Adiponectin and Leptin
levels are used to make the diagnosis. There are now 4 types of DM: Type
1, 1.5, 2 and 3. Type three affects the brain (recently discovered in 2005 as
another site besides the pancreas as producing insulin) & associated with elevated Leptin levels; can lead to dementia.

This chronic and often
debilitating condition is frequently associated with chronic fatigue. It is not
usually the initial symptom of the syndrome, but one that develops gradually
after onset of other symptoms, ultimately surpassing these symptoms as being
more aggravating. Often patients cause further harm to themselves in this stage
because they take large, daily doses of anti-inflammatory medications,
resulting in damage to the intestinal lining and the development of “leaky gut
syndrome”. This can lead to more rheumatologic complaints as the immune system
begins to overreact to undigested materials entering the blood stream. These
antigen-antibody complexes then deposit into joint spaces and muscle tissue,
further aggravating the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Musculoskeletal complaints can
also vary widely in CFS/Fibromyalgia (an immune dysfunction disorder) patients,
with symptoms often coming and going in cycles. This is a strong indicator of
an underlying digestive disorder as one of the factors contributing to this
condition. We avoid harsh drugs and yet to stand the test of time
biologics in our treatments, but rather rely on resetting the immune system and
utilizing the Myers Cocktail.

Hormonal Imbalances & bio-identical hormone therapy (Men/Women)

At different stages of
life, and particularly in later life, many glandular systems in the human body
produce decreasing levels of hormones (e.g., DHEA, melatonin, pregnenolone, growth
hormone, and testosterone), and this contributes to many aspects of the aging
process. Hormonal therapy has evolved in response to an expanding body of
scientific evidence indicating that replacement of hormones in older
individuals can slow or even reverse the aging process, as well as prevent many
serious degenerative conditions. Only by performing accurate hormone testing is
it possible to know your individual status and determine the exact hormones you
need. Many patients, concerned about the potential adverse effects of
using synthetic hormones, are expressing an interest in “natural” or
bio-identical hormones. We offer pharmaceutical-grade bio-identical
hormones, dispensed through a compounding pharmacy, as well as an array of
nutritional and herbal preparations that support healthy hormonal production
and functioning. To determine which strategy is best, we conduct a
thorough evaluation of body systems and seek to correct any abnormalities that
could hamper the success of hormone replacement. Many people are
surprised by the improvements they rapidly experience in terms of energy,
sleep, sexual vitality, joint health, muscle strength, and overall personal
well-being.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Limited to Integrative measures)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(IBS) is a widespread condition involving recurrent abdominal pain, along with
either diarrhea or constipation or both; this is often associated with stress,
depression, anxiety, or hidden intestinal infections. IBS is thought to
afflict millions of Americans, and yet three out of every four IBS sufferers in
the nation will go undiagnosed. At the Priority Health, our main
treatment objectives for helping people with IBS including the following: (1)
improving digestion; (2) rebuilding the intestinal mucosa; (3) reducing
oxidative damage; (4) eliminating intestinal pathogens; (5) re-establishing the
normal flora; (6) removing intestinal toxins; and (7) managing your stress
level better. Though stress is not the cause of IBS, it can trigger or
exacerbate your symptoms; thus, learning to manage your stress level is
important for preventing IBS flare-ups in the future. We utilize
peppermint oil and Iberogast for many of our patients.

Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Illnesses- (practitioners are ILADS members)

Ticks are capable of
transmitting numerous pathogens to both humans and their pets, and the risk of
contracting Tick-Borne diseases is rising steadily. The most common of these
diseases is Lyme Disease, a chronic inflammatory condition caused when the Borrelia Burgdoferi bacteria is transmitted by the
bite of a deer tick or black-legged tick. Early detection is the key to
fighting this disease. Although Lyme Disease is easily treated with antibiotics
in its early stages, it is often either misdiagnosed or goes un-diagnosed until
it has progressed considerably. At this point, the individual exhibits such
debilitating symptoms as chronic fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, extreme mood
swings, severe arthritic pain, and irregularities of the heart rhythm. Many
afflicted individuals who have been to numerous doctors may eventually be
diagnosed with chronic Lyme Disease or some other tick-borne illness, but
treatment options are often limited and confusing.

The Priority Health
approach is grounded in Dr. Saleeby's experience and training with the ILADS
protocols, in treating patients with chronic mysterious illnesses. Dr.
Saleeby is a member of the ILADS society. Protocols differ from the IDS and CDC protocols.

ELISA tests miss 50% of
cases.

Western Blot: IF ANY ONE of these bands are positive.. they
you have Lyme. Bands: # 23, 31, 34, 39, 83/93. Use IGeneX to test.

This approach integrates
various stabilization procedures in preparation for pulsed cycles of various
antibiotics that kill the Lyme bacteria as well as co-infections. Further
supporting this approach is the evidence-based use of bioactive agents or supplements
that provide targeted support for the immune and nervous systems. When used in
combination with commonly prescribed medications, specific nutrient and
botanical supplements can afford increased antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
protection and help relieve or eliminate Lyme-related symptoms, as reported by
University of California researchers in the September 2009 issue of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative
Medicine. The careful combining of these supplements with prescribed
medications may increase the effectiveness of prescription medications while
also helping to reduce painful symptoms and speeding up the recovery process.

Memory Problems & Cognitive Decline (Limited)

Memory loss or cognitive
dysfunction is commonly associated with the aging process. In most cases,
the process manifests early with a tendency to forget little things such as
appointments, details from a recently read book, or key items for a “to-do
list”. It may eventually progress to forgetting important dates,
locations, or even names of friends and family members. Nutrition, exercise,
stress management, and mental activities can all play vital roles in preventing
memory loss or slowing its progression. Nutritional factors serve as the
raw material and fuel for neurotransmitter production. At the same time,
environmental toxins or pollutants must be minimized and removed. Hormone
imbalances, toxic metals, pollutants, pesticides and radiation are examples of
environmental factors that eventually may erode memory.

Menopause (Pre- and Peri-menopause)

Menopause is a natural
event for women that normally occur between the ages of 45 and 55.
Surgical menopause occurs after a complete hysterectomy or oophorectomy.
Symptoms of this process can be mild, moderate, or severe, and are linked
with changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. With aging, the ovaries
gradually make less of these hormones. As estrogen levels decline, the
woman’s body adjusts to the hormonal changes, and she will typically experience
as hot flashes and sweats for the first one to two years after the last period.
Other common symptoms include irregular menstrual periods, vaginal
dryness, skin flushing, heart pounding, sleeping problems, headaches,
forgetfulness, and joint aches and pains. These symptoms may last five
years or longer. More importantly behind the scenes is the aging of the
female body with bone loss, skin aging and brain aging as well as a rise in
cancers and heart disease. We use biomarkers to assess bone turnover such
as the Beta-Crosslaps test. A typical panel to assess the need for
hormonal intervention will include estradiol, FSH and LH, (and a pelvic exam,
breast exam and bone density test we would prefer you have done by your
Ob/Gyn). For optimal therapeutic outcomes and to minimize cancer risks
associated with hormone replacement therapy, many integrative medicine clinics
have turned to the use of bio-identical hormones. We have found this
approach to be very helpful for women going through pre- and
peri-menopause. Adjustments in dosage, hormone combinations, and
lifestyle habits will be recommended based on subsequent testing. Dr.
Saleeby does not prescribe artificial or synthetic HRT.

Multiple-chemical
sensitivity, or MCS, is a condition in which individuals have an acute (yet
often hidden) hypersensitivity to low levels of chemicals found in everyday
substances, such as pesticides, fresh paint, household cleaning agents, fresh
carpeting, synthetic building materials, newsprint, perfume, and numerous other
petrochemical-based products. MCS is also referred to as environmental
illness or toxicant-induced loss of tolerance. This condition remains
somewhat of a mystery to the medical community, and most often it goes
unrecognized and untreated. The lack of treatment and the ubiquity of chemicals
can lead to job loss, social isolation, financial stress, and even homelessness
for those afflicted with MCS. In the United States, practitioners of
environmental medicine represent the main sources of treatment of MCS.
The condition is chronic, and responses occur to multiple chemically unrelated
substances at very low levels of exposure—much lower than are commonly
tolerated. Symptoms can involve multiple organ systems and will only
improve or resolve when the triggering chemicals are removed. The Priority
Health approach aims to restore the body’s core detoxification systems and uses
a low-cost testing method that can help discern multiple chemical
sensitivities.

Note: MCS is a controversial
diagnosis and is not recognized as a bona fide chemical-induced illness by the
American Medical Association. However, a diagnosis of MCS can often be
made based on a careful patient medical history and on the observation that the
patient feels dramatically worse, and has numerous physical symptoms, when he
or she is unknowingly placed in the presence of the offending chemicals.
Various types of laboratory studies and sophisticated diagnostic procedures
also may be helpful.

Nutritional Imbalances: Nutrient Deficiency and Nutrient Excess

If nutrients are lacking
or do not reach body cells, then organs and organ systems will tend to function
poorly and tissues will not heal well. At the Priority Health, one of our
first priorities is to evaluate your nutritional status to ensure that you are
well supplied with nutrients known to be critical to healthy functioning.
Many individuals we see have various cellular nutrient deficiencies, making it
extremely difficult for them to generate the energy needed to carry out
cellular functioning. Such deficiencies may contribute to virtually every
health problem known to humankind. Of course, every patient’s nutritional
issues are highly individualized. Individual nutrient requirements can vary by
20-fold or more, depending on the genetics, biochemistry, physiology, and
bioenergetics state of the individual. Dr. Saleeby is an orthomolecular
nutritional medicine specialist and utilized oral and IV therapies.
Through comprehensive nutrient analysis testing (which is largely
designed to determine whether cellular nutritional needs are being met), we are
able to construct a tailored nutritional regimen that includes both dietary
changes and supplements aimed at correcting the deficiencies and bolstering
one’s nutritional status over the long term. Correction of these
deficiencies will invariably support other aspects of your integrative
treatment program and result in profound and often surprising improvements in
your health and well-being.

Overweight and Obesity

Obesity and being
overweight are important risk factors for diabetes, heart disease, cancer and
premature death. The need to lose weight and improve body composition has
emerged as a critical health issue for the majority of U.S. citizens, and
waistlines are expanding at an alarming rate across the globe. Though dozens of
dieting regimens have been touted as fat-burning panaceas, the reality is that
most individuals continue to struggle with portion control, food choices,
logistics, and low satisfaction over the long term. Our approach at the Priority
Health makes strategic use of whole-food-based meal replacements that include
highly nutritious shakes and bars. This approach enables you to feel
well-nourished throughout the day with very little effort or planning.
Clinical studies indicate that these programs provide the best outcomes in terms
of successful weight loss and reduction of disease risk. To complement
the meal replacements, we recommend low-glycemic meals that have been shown in
numerous studies to engender long-term weight control. Dr. Saleeby is
available to address medical issues such as insulin resistance, metabolic
weaknesses, circulatory problems, and chronic inflammation, and to provide
individualized nutritional, metabolic and hormonal testing when needed or
desired. We look for issues that halter
weight management. We offer personalized
counseling to supplements, to medical foods to pharmaceuticals and even the hCG
diet in order create a personalized plan for reaching your optimal weight and
body composition and importantly maintain it.

Premature Aging / Age Management

As men and women age,
they may experience any one of a number of physical changes, such as loss of
energy, wrinkles and blemishes in the skin, deteriorating body composition
(increased body fat along with loss of muscle), loss of libido, anxiety,
depression, and loss of mental focus. When several of these changes occur
at the same time, they can add up to a very disheartening situation.
Fortunately, with the help of an integrative approach, and utilizing the tools
of “functional medicine”, the aging process can be slowed and even
reversed. With the help of individualized testing, we seek to identify
the factors that are most likely accelerating the aging process in your
body. By then addressing each of these factors, we can turn this
situation around and restore a high level of vitality and overall functioning.

Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)**

MAJOR FOCUS of this center

A major focus on
this practice is on the correct diagnosis and treatment of subclinical,
lab-normal and obvious hypothyroidism. Euthyroid sick syndromes and adrenal fatigue or insufficiently are other
disorders related. We can pick up subclinical hypothyroidism, we are expert at rehabilitating the injured thyroid gland and reducing thyroid antibodies. Read STTM II and learn more about finding a physician that can correctly diagnose and treat your thyroid disorder. We are on the short list. Labs include hs-TSH, free-T3, free-T4, free-T3:rT3 ratios, reverse-T3, Ferritin, Iron (Fe), Selenium (Se) and Iodine (I) levels, Heavy Metal analysis, MTHFR phenotype testing, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12, MMA, HCY, TPO antibodies, & TGB antibodies. Inflammatory markers such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-13a, CRP, and others. Ultrasound of thyroid gland is often ordered as well.

In today’s world, the
human body is exposed to a steady stream of toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd),
mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb), all of which are serious neurotoxins
as well as hormone disruptors. These heavy metals become increasingly
concentrated as they are passed up the food chain, but even very low-level
exposure poses a threat to young and old individuals alike. Our
understanding of the consequences of increased body burdens of heavy metals has
evolved considerably in recent years. We now know that both mercury and
lead exposures in pregnant women must be kept to a minimum in order to prevent
neuro-developmental problems in the developing fetus and child. Mercury,
in the form of mercury vapor (from dental amalgams) and methyl mercury
(primarily from tuna consumption), is easily transferred from the pregnant
women to the fetus, and boys are particularly susceptible to the neurotoxic
effects of lead and mercury following exposure early in life. Cadmium,
found in food and cigarette smoke, increases the risk of breast cancer, uterine
cancer, and other hormone-related cancers. Because of these and many
other environmental health concerns, and based on your health history, we may
recommend testing assessing your body burden of heavy metals. If
excessive levels of heavy metals are found, chelation therapy (Dr. Saleeby uses
ORAL exclusively) in tandem with mineral-antioxidant support can be very
effective in reversing this situation; subsequent testing can then be used to
evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Often within three to 6-months,
patients will be free of heavy metals, and many of their chronic symptoms will
have resolved in the interim. Our clinical experience suggests that the
health-stealing effects of heavy metals and environmental toxins are perhaps
the biggest blind spot of conventional medicine.